Fitbit Charge 3 - Stopped Syncing

[Daag]

Hello,

The last time I used my Charge 3 was in August, so the battery had died and needed recharging when I tried using it again earlier this week. It used to work flawlessly but is now having constant syncing issues.

It takes a long time to pair, will sync once (if I'm lucky) and then it will lose track of time and not sync again - so I'm glad I set a phone alarm as backup for work this morning! I've followed the syncing guide step-by-step (multiple times) and if it does sync then it'll only be for a very short period.

Details:

Device: Fitbit Charge 3

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S10e

Android Version: 10

I'd greatly appreciate further support but am doubtful it'll take anything less than a new device to resolve.

[Daag]

Update - it's now even worse: 

1. Unpaired the Charge 3
2. Uninstalled the Fitbit app
3. Disabled Bluetooth
4. Restarted the phone
5. Installed the Fitbit app
6. Enabled Bluetooth
7. Tapped 'Set up a new Device'
8. Phone finds the tracker but fails to connect at all

Is there any way I can revert to an older version of the Fitbit Android app so that I can see if it's app related?

[Daag]

Update 2 - Hardware, Hard Times Edition:

• Tested my phone's Blutetooth with another Bluetooth-capable device and confirmed the phone's Bluetooth connectivity works. Reminder: my phone is listed as compatible - Samsung Galaxy S10e
• Installed and tested previous (randomly selected) versions of the Fitbit Android app, but to no avail:
  • v3.8 (03.10.19)
  • v3.3.1 (16.08.19)
  • v3.2 (25.07.19)
  • v2.95 (17.06.19)
  • v2.85 (14.01.19)

Questions:

1. I can't check the firmware, as it won't connect, but I'm almost certain it was 28.20001.63.5. Is this the latest firmware version for the Charge 3?
2. Is this fault related to an Android update? Can anyone on an older version of Android confirm or deny this? I'm using Android 10.

As far as I'm concerned there's nothing else for me to troubleshoot - unless someone more knowledgeable (i.e. forum moderator) can provide any sort of assistance. All I can assume is that the tracker is indeed faulty.

[Tonyharl]

Try connecting Charge 3 with power adapter to charge it, then close phone bluetooth, wait 10 secs, then open bluetooth & see it it connects withing 20 minutes

Not satisfactory, I know, but this usually works for me

Don't know why

[Daag]

Hey Tony, thanks for getting in touch with that tip.

I managed to get in touch with Fitbit via live chat support yesterday. It took 78 minutes before I was told that it's an ongoing issue with Android 9+, and that they hope to resolve it in the next app update. I asked for a rough time for when to expect this update, but they could not provide that.

If what support informed me is accurate then I would think it best for Fitbit to be transparent about this issue and inform their customers so that they, unlike me, don't have to spend hours troubleshooting - only to find there's no permanent fix outwith an update to the Android app.

[Tonyharl]

Hi Daag

My Android is 8 Oreo so should be the 9 problem. but there is a problem

Last night it lost nearly an hour so through I got up an hour early, therefore my sleep so too short or so Fitbit thought!

The amazing thing is that it worked perfectly for 9 months

[Tonyharl]

Just tried it on another Bluetooth device ( wife's table with Android 6). Exactly the same problem so I think it could be a worn out Fitbit. Hw do I get it replaced?

[peachraven]

Must be an 'on-going' issue with iOS 13.3 as well. Having same problems with my iPhone 11 Pro.